Guide to growing Wild Petunia - Ruellia

Ruellia are hardy and half hardy perennial sub shrubs that reach from 30 to 90cm in height.

There main blooming period is from Spring to summer, but many Ruellia will also carry sporadic flowers at later times of the year.

The flowers of Ruellia are wide ranging in size but are usually tubular in shape. A common name for Ruellia is Wild Petunia.

How to grow Wild Petunia

If planning to grow Petunia outdoors from seed then sow in the spring time; lightly cover the wild petunia seed once sown. Ruellia genus members like to grow in an organic and moist soil, and as they are woodland species should be grown in shaded or partially shaded areas.

If staring off wild petunia indoors then start about 10 weeks in advance. Wild Petunia seeds take from one to two months to germinate at a temperature of 18 to 24 degrees centigrade. Once ready transplant outdoors in the middle of spring at about 50cm apart.

Caring for wild petunia - Ruellia

It is fairly easy to look after wild Petunia (Ruellia); they like a moist yet well drained soil so keep well watered and apply a spring mulch. If you require more Ruellia plants then Wild Petunia can be propagated by taking cutiings towards the end of spring and summer.